Original Word: לְבָנוֹן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Lbanown
Pronunciation: leh-vah-NON
Phonetic Spelling: (leb-aw-nohn')
KJV: Lebanon
NASB: Lebanon
Word Origin: [from H382 (אִישׁ ־ טּוֹב - Ish-Tob)5]

1. (the) white mountain (from its snow)
2. Lebanon, a mountain range in Israel

Lebanon

From lbab; (the) white mountain (from its snow); Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine -- Lebanon.

see HEBREW lbab

Word Origin
from laben
Definition
a wooded mountain range on the N. border of Isr.
NASB Translation
Lebanon (71).

לְבָנוֺן (Deuteronomy 3:25 הַלְּבָנֹן van d. H.)₇₁

proper name, of a mountain Lebanon (Phoenician לבנן; Assyrian Labnanu, etc., Schr^{COT on 1 Kings 5:13}, Dl^{Par. 103 ff.}; Egyptian Ra-m­n-n WMM^{Asien u.Europa,197ff.}; Arabic compare further Rob^{BR ii, 435ff.}493GASm^Geogr.45ff. Buhl^{Geogr.110 and references}; name probably from whiteness of its cliffs Rob^{BR ii, 493}); — wooded mountain-range on northern border of Israel [usually with article ׳הַלּ (51 t.); without articleלְבָנוֺן, in poetry and late Hosea 14:8; Nahum 1:4; 2 Kings 19:23 = Isaiah 37:24; Ezekiel 31:15,16; Isaiah 14:8; Isaiah 29:17; Isaiah 33:9; Isaiah 40:16; Jeremiah 18:14; Habakkuk 2:17; Zechariah 10:10; Zechariah 11:1; Psalm 29:6; Songs 4:8 (twice in verse); Songs 4:11,15; with ה locative לְבָב֫וֺנָה 1 Kings 5:28a]; perhaps first mentioned in defining a locality, as הַר הַלְּבָנוֺן, Judges 3:3 (E according to GFM; this combination only here), but also in early prophets, then in D, and later; — in defining a locality Joshua 9:1; ׳בִּקְעַת הַלּ Joshua 11:17; Joshua 12:7 (side of Baal Gad); as a marked feature, in describing extent of land Deuteronomy 1:7; Deuteronomy 3:25; Deuteronomy 11:24; Joshua 1:4; Joshua 13:5 (כָּלהַֿל) Joshua 13:6 (all D), 1 Kings 9:19 2Chronicles 8:6; Jeremiah 22:26; Zechariah 10:10; ׳אשׁהַל׳ר Jeremiah 22:6 (figurative of royal house of Judah), as a height Songs 4:8 (twice in verse); ׳מִגְדַּל הַל Cant 7:5 i.e. a tower built on Lebanon; ׳שֶׁלֶג ל Jeremiah 18:14 snow of L.; L. as source of streams Songs 4:15; ׳יֵין ל Hosea 14:8; most often, however, as bearing forests, especially of cedars, ׳אַרְזֵי הַלּ Judges 9:15 (in allegory; perhaps J, according to GFM), Isaiah 2:13; Isaiah 14:8; Psalm 29:5; Psalm 104:16, compare 1 Kings 5:13; 1 Kings 5:20; 1 Kings 5:23; 1 Kings 5:28 (twice in verse); 2Chron 2:7 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 2:15, 2 Kings 14:9 (twice in verse) = 2Chronicles 25:18 (twice in verse) (in allegory), Jeremiah 22:23; Ezekiel 17:3; Ezekiel 27:5; Ezekiel 31:3,15,16; Zechariah 11:1; Ezra 3:7; Psalm 92:13; Songs 3:9; Songs 5:15 (simile of majestic figure); ׳מֶּרַח ל Nahum 1:4; ׳כְּבוֺד הַלּ Isaiah 35:2; Isaiah 60:13; לְכַרְמֶל ׳וְשָׁב ל Isaiah 29:17 ׅ "" (יַעַר ׳יַרְכְּתֵי ל with the same reference Isaiah 37:24 = 2 Kings 19:23; ׳הַלּ = trees of Lebanon Hosea 14:6; Isaiah 10:34; Isaiah 40:16; Psalm 29:6; Psalm 72:16; ׳ל Isaiah 33:9 figurative, as mourning; ׳חֲמַס ל Habakkuk 2:17 i.e. violence done to Lebanon, probably by cutting down its trees; ׳בֵּית יַעַר הַלּ a royal mansion of Solomon, 1 Kings 7:2; and 1 Kings 10:17,21 2Chronicles 9:16,20; ׳ל as home of wild beast 2 Kings 14:9 2Chronicles 25:18 (in allegory); רֵיחַ לְבָנוֺן, of the odour of cedar forests Songs 4:11, compare Hosea 14:7 (in simile; We thinks ׳ל here to be a specific plant).

Geographical Setting

Lebanon refers primarily to the rugged, forest-covered mountain range north of Israel that runs parallel to the Mediterranean Sea. Its twin ridges—Mount Lebanon to the west and Anti-Lebanon to the east—reach heights above 3,000 meters and are capped with snow much of the year (Jeremiah 18:14). The headwaters of the Jordan River arise from its slopes, and its famed cedar forests flourished in deep ravines watered by perennial springs.

Physical Characteristics

The phrase “cedars of Lebanon” appears frequently (for example, Psalm 104:16; Isaiah 2:13), testifying to vast stands of towering evergreens known for straight grain and insect resistance. Alongside cedars grew firs and cypresses (1 Kings 5:10). The luxuriant flora became proverbial for majesty, fertility, fragrance, and strength; “His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon” (Hosea 14:6).

Biblical History and Events

1. Conquest Anticipated. Moses encouraged the new generation: “Turn and set your journey…to all the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, the hill country, the foothills, the Negev, and the seacoast—all Lebanon” (Deuteronomy 1:7). Though allotted to Israel’s northern tribes (Joshua 13:6), large portions remained outside Israelite control until the united monarchy.

2. Davidic Expansion. David subdued neighboring kingdoms “as far as the border of Egypt,” and secured friendly relations with Hiram king of Tyre, whose domain included the cedar forests (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Chronicles 14:1).

3. Temple and Palace Construction. Solomon contracted with Hiram: “My servants will go down to Lebanon, and I will give your servants wages” (1 Kings 5:6). Logs were rafted to Joppa for transport to Jerusalem. Solomon also built the “House of the Forest of Lebanon” (1 Kings 7:2), a royal armory symbolizing security and abundance (Song of Songs 4:4).

4. Post-Exilic Rebuilding. Cedars of Lebanon again supplied timber for the second temple (Ezra 3:7), underscoring continuity between pre-exilic and post-exilic worship.

Symbolic and Poetic Usage

• Splendor and Loftiness. Lebanon’s peaks illustrate pride that must be humbled: “The Lord of Hosts has a day against all that is lofty…against all the cedars of Lebanon” (Isaiah 2:12-13).
• Devastation as Judgment. “Lebanon is ashamed and decays” (Isaiah 33:9) when divine wrath falls; its withering trees prefigure national collapse (Zechariah 11:1-2).
• Beauty and Fertility. The beloved in Song of Songs is likened to Lebanon’s fragrance and vistas (Song of Songs 4:11, 8:5).
• Refuge and Strength. The righteous flourish “like a cedar in Lebanon” (Psalm 92:12), depicting durability grounded in God.

Prophetic and Eschatological Significance

Lebanon figures prominently in visions of restoration. “The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the Lord” (Isaiah 35:2). Messianic renewal will transform wastelands into flourishing orchards (Isaiah 29:17). Ezekiel’s lament over the Assyrian cedar (Ezekiel 31) foreshadows the downfall of proud empires, while Ezekiel 17:22-24 anticipates a future sprig—interpreted by many as the Messiah—planted on Israel’s heights, surpassing every tree of Lebanon.

Lebanon in Wisdom Literature

Proverbs employs Lebanon to illustrate quality and desirability: “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband,” reminiscent of Lebanese splendor (Proverbs 12:4). Song of Songs uses Lebanon seven times, merging physical geography with covenant love to depict purity, strength, and elevation.

Messianic Ramifications

Psalm 29:5 declares, “The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.” This prefigures the authority Christ wields over creation (compare Mark 4:39). The eschatological in-gathering in Isaiah 60:13—“The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the juniper, the box tree, and the cypress together”—anticipates Gentile inclusion through the Gospel.

Lebanon in the Life of Israel

Although never fully possessed, Lebanon functioned as Israel’s northern barrier and resource bank. Its timber enabled national worship; its topography provided strategic defense. Prophets repeatedly appealed to its imagery, thereby embedding Lebanon into Israel’s spiritual vocabulary.

New Testament Echoes

While the name “Lebanon” is absent from the New Testament, its cedar imagery informs Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) where the mature tree offers refuge, echoing Old Testament tree-kingdom symbolism rooted in Lebanon’s forests.

Practical Ministry Lessons

1. God furnishes His people with resources beyond their borders, as seen in Lebanon’s cedars for the temple.
2. Pride symbolized by towering cedars invites divine resistance; humility secures His favor.
3. The same Lord who can lay Lebanon waste also promises to make deserts blossom, encouraging perseverance and hope.

From the first mention in Deuteronomy to its closing prophetic glimpses, Lebanon serves as a multifaceted witness to God’s sovereignty, judgment, provision, and redemptive purpose.

בַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן בַּלְּבָנ֗וֹן בַּלְּבָנ֣וֹן בַּלְּבָנוֹן֙ בַלְּבָנ֔וֹן בלבנון הַלְּבָנ֑וֹן הַלְּבָנ֔וֹן הַלְּבָנ֖וֹן הַלְּבָנ֗וֹן הַלְּבָנ֜וֹן הַלְּבָנ֞וֹן הַלְּבָנֽוֹן׃ הַלְּבָנוֹן֙ הלבנון הלבנון׃ וְהַלְּבָנ֔וֹן וְהַלְּבָנ֖וֹן וְהַלְּבָנ֜וֹן וְהַלְּבָנ֨וֹן וְהַלְּבָנֽוֹן׃ וּבַלְּבָנ֔וֹן וּלְבָנ֕וֹן וּלְבָנוֹן֙ ובלבנון והלבנון והלבנון׃ ולבנון כַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן כַּלְּבָנ֣וֹן כַּלְּבָנֽוֹן׃ כלבנון כלבנון׃ לְ֝בָנ֗וֹן לְבָנ֑וֹן לְבָנ֔וֹן לְבָנ֖וֹן לְבָנ֗וֹנָה לְבָנ֥וֹן לְבָנֽוֹן׃ לְבָנוֹן֙ לבנון לבנון׃ לבנונה מִלְּבָנ֣וֹן מִלְּבָנוֹן֙ מֵֽהַלְּבָנוֹן֒ מהלבנון מלבנון bal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn ḇal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn balləḇānōwn ḇalləḇānōwn ballevaNon hal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn halləḇānōwn hallevaNon kal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn kalləḇānōwn kallevaNon lə·ḇā·nō·w·nāh lə·ḇā·nō·wn ləḇānōwn ləḇānōwnāh levaNon levaNonah mê·hal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn mêhalləḇānōwn mehallevanOn mil·lə·ḇā·nō·wn milləḇānōwn millevanOn ū·ḇal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn ū·lə·ḇā·nō·wn ūḇalləḇānōwn ūləḇānōwn ulevaNon uvallevaNon vallevaNon vehallevaNon wə·hal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn wəhalləḇānōwnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts